Maori leaders have paid tribute to Whanganui kaumatua Morvin Te Anatipa Simon, an exceptional composer, choirmaster, kapa haka leader, academic and historian. Simon died in Wellington hospital on 14 May after a long period of ill health. E te uri o Hinengakau, e te reo reka o te awa tupua, e te matua Morvin, kei te Read more
Fifty years in music performance and kapa haka has earned Queen’s Birthday honours for husband and wife Morvin and Kura Simon. Mr Simon is now a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) and his wife has a Queen’s Service Medal (QSM). Asked whether all those years of composing songs, singing and tutoring Read more
At the first national symposium celebrating haka excellence, Whanganui River kaumatua Morvin Simon, along with another prominent figure in the arts, Dr Ngapo Wehi of Ngai Tuhoe and Te Whakatohea, were acknowledged for their outstanding involvement in kapa haka. Both men were presented with honorary bachelor degrees in Maori performing arts. Whakatane-based Maori tertiary institution Read more